Things People Say in the Gym that Make Me Think Cervical

As you know by now, I enjoy CrossFit several times a week so I  hear things said at the box.  The regulars are constantly trying to improve their fitness and sometimes get discouraged by aches and pains that crop up.  As you know CrossFit is constantly varied, functional movements performed at relatively high intensity.  It is also measurable by demonstrating increased work capacity across broad time and modal domains.  With that, you always know where you stand in your fitness journey if you keep track.  When you keep track, you want to improve.  You begin to really pay attention to your body, where you limitations are and where the aches and pains are.  

When athletes get frustrated and complain about any of the following:

• weak grip strength
• painful 1st rib
• hot elbows
• scapular pain
• tennis elbow
• intermittent pain in their shoulders
• "my arms are toast today"
• trigger points in the trapezius
• intermittent pain anywhere in their arms 
• numbness and tingling
• wrist pains

Common Areas that Pain Originating from the Neck is Felt

I always think, hmmm, I wonder if this is a cervical problem?  It is not unusual in my practice to see any of these complaints resolve with end range movements of the neck.   It doesn't mean it is a serious problem, and generally it is a condition that is rapidly reversible.   The MDT McKenzie evaluation will help me to decide which direction that patient should move in to abolish their symptoms.  I am sure you are saying, yeah right!  No way can this shoulder pain be coming from my neck!  Well, you might be right, it could be a shoulder problem but it could be coming from your neck.  A MDT McKenzie evaluation will help to determine that.  Don't worry, if it is a shoulder problem we've got that covered too.  

Check out my previous blogs on neck problems at the gym:  Hurting my Neck at the Gym and Hurting my Neck at the Gym - part 2.  The best way to find out where your nagging upper extremity problems are coming from is to get a great comprehensive evaluation.  The MDT McKenzie evaluation is a reliable assessment process designed for all musculoskeletal problems, including pain in the back, neck and extremities.  Once your clinician knows the source of your pain, they will then instruct you on how to take care of the problem yourself in as little as 3 - 5 visits.   If you don't let it linger too long, this could easily be remedied in a few visits with noticeable increase in strength, decrease in pain and improved mechanics and maybe even a few PR's.   

You know what I am going to say.  "Everyone deserves a good mechanical assessment and treatment plan!"  Call 504-228-0524  or visit grimmpt.com to schedule your evaluation today. 

McKenzie, R. and May, S., (2000) The human extremities: mechanical diagnosis and therapy. Raumati Beach: Spinal Publications.

McKenzie, R. and May, S., (2006) The cervical and thoracic spine: mechanical diagnosis and therapy. 2nd ed. Raumati Beach: Spinal Publications.

McKenzie, R.,(2011) Treat Your Own Neck, 5th ed. Raumati Beach:  Spinal Publications.